Antenatal Care

Most of our pregnant patients are referred to the Homerton Hospital, but receive most of their antenatal care from local community midwives and our GP's

Baby Clinic (Thursday 2:00pm - 3:30pm)

This is held on Thursday afternoons and is for well babies only. It is attended by a Health Visitor who can be seen on a drop-in basis for weighing and general advice. Appointments with the doctor for development checks or the nurse for immunisations are also available.

Cervical Screening

A cervical screening test (previously known as a smear test) is a method of detecting abnormal cells on the cervix. The cervix is the entrance to the womb from the vagina.

These pages should tell you everything you need to know about cervical screening.

Testing for abnormal cells

Cervical screening isn't a test for cancer; it's a test to check the health of the cells of the cervix. Most women's test results show that everything is normal, but for around 1 in 20 women the test shows some abnormal changes in the cells of the cervix.

Most of these changes won't lead to cervical cancer and the cells may go back to normal on their own. However, in some cases, the abnormal cells need to be removed so they can't become cancerous.

About 3,000 cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed each year in the UK.

It's possible for women of all ages to develop cervical cancer, although the condition mainly affects sexually active women aged 30 to 45. The condition is very rare in women under 25.

The cervical screening programme

The aim of the NHS Cervical Screening Programme is to reduce the number of women who develop cervical cancer and the number of women who die from the condition. Since the screening programme was introduced in the 1980s, the number of cervical cancer cases has decreased by about 7% each year.

All women who are registered with a GP are invited for cervical screening:

aged 25 to 49– every three years

aged 50 to 64– every five years

over 65– only women who haven't been screened since age 50 or those who have recently had abnormal tests

Being screened regularly means any abnormal changes in the cells of the cervix can be identified at an early stage and, if necessary, treated to stop cancer developing.

Screening is a personal choice and you have the right to choose not to attend.

Booking your test

Please call us on 0207 739 8525 and one of our receptionist will book you in. The screening is carried out by our practice nurse, Ruth.

If possible, try to book an appointment during the middle of your menstrual cycle (usually 14 days from the start of your last period), as this can ensure a better sample of cells is taken. It’s best to make your appointment for when you don’t have your period.

If you use a spermicide, a barrier method of contraception or a lubricant jelly, you shouldn't use these for 24 hours before the test, as the chemicals they contain may affect the test. If you are having your period at the time of your appointment, please re-book the test for a minimum of 2 days after it has finished as it is not possible to take a sample during a menstrual bleed.

If you wish to have a sexual health screen or need to discuss contraception please book a double appointment.

Travel clinics at Shoreditch Park Surgery

To aid the smooth running of the travel service at the surgery we would ask you to contact the surgery via telephone on 0207 739 8525 before 12pm, Monday to Friday. Inform the receptionist where you are travelling to and when and they will book you in for an appointment.

Travel vaccines can take up to two weeks to become fully effective. Appointments can get booked up very quickly so please give yourself plenty of time to protect yourself. Some vaccines are given over the course of a month so you need to think about it about 12 weeks ahead for a satisfactory immune response.

Please bring your itinerary with you and any record of previous vaccines you have had as this will help you and the nurse in preparing for your trip. If you are visiting more than one country, please book a double appointment.

Please note that some of these are available on the NHS but there will be a charge for some. A list of these charges is available below and the charges applies to BOTH adults and children.

Hepatitis B - £25 per vaccine (a course of 3 is usually required if having this vaccine)

Meningitis ACWY and certificate £35 once – although visitors to Hajj will need a 5 yearly booster

Yellow Fever - vaccination and international certification of yellow fever vaccination £45 once for lifetime

Rabies - vaccines are not offered at the Surgery

Japanese encephalitis - vaccines are not offered at Surgery

Cholera - vaccine (oral) available on private prescription

Tick Borne encephalitis - not offered at the surgery

For non-NHS vaccines a cash payment is required, so please bring this to your appointment to avoid delays. For those vaccines listed that are not available at the surgery, a travel risk assessment and immunisation are available for a fee at a local participating pharmacy.

Introduction

The Data Protection Act 1998, The Access to Health Records Act 1990 and The Medical Reports Act 1988 are three main areas of legislation which allows the patient to request copies of their medical information.

Patients who wish to request their medical records can do so by filling out a ‘patient request for copies of medical records’. Please click below to bring up the form.

You can either email this to shoreditchparksurgery@nhs.net or you can drop it off at reception. Fees for copies of health records.

Health records held on computer up to a maximum of £10

Health records held in part on computer and in part manually up to a maximum of £50

Health records held manually up to a maximum of £50

We can only take cash payment at surgery.

We also offer summary print outs which includes your most recent blood results, immunisation and your current medication.

Once the written request has been received, you will be advised of the relevant fee once the copies made and ready to collect. We aim to fulfil your request within 15 working days from receiving the request.

PLEASE NOTE WE CANNOT EMAIL MEDICAL RECORDS. ONCE WE HAVE COMPLETED YOUR REQUEST, YOU MUST PERSONALLY COME INTO RECEPTION TO COLLECT IT DUE TO SECURITY REASONS.

Non NHS Service Fees

There will be certain forms that require a doctor to complete. GP’s are entitled to charge a fee for certain services that are not part of their normal NHS work.

Medical Records

Brief Summary Printout No Charge

Full Summary Printout (exceeding 20 pages) £10.00

Paper Records and Summary £10.00 plus 20p per sheet (max £50)

Fitness Statements

Marathon Statement £7.50

Health Club/Gym Statement £7.50

Travel

Holiday Cancellation Form £10.00

Fitness to Travel/Fly Form £7.50

Fitness to Travel (Letter from Doctor) No charge

Medicals

Medical Form – completed from health records £15.00-£30.00

Full Medical Examination and Form £60.00

Miscellaneous

Letter to confirm registration No charge

If you have a form that is not on this list then please contact our reception team who will be able to advise you.

Please be aware that private forms and requests can take up to 2-3 weeks to complete.

All forms are completed in strict date order from when they are received.

Doctors have a heavy workload and cannot prioritise your form before medical matters.

Should you require a medical examination, then please hand your form into reception and you will be contacted with an appointment to see Dr Kate Adams.

Other Services

On a flexible basis, other services may be available including:

Benefits advice (for Turkish patients only)

Alcohol advice

English and Turkish Counselling

Family welfare advice

Child Psychology

Times and days change from time to time, please ask at reception for up to date information.

We also provide some Non-NHS services such as insurance forms and Medical Reports. Please note that some of these services may incur a fee. Medical reports can take up to three weeks to be completed as they are completed in a strict date order.

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